Engineering Flight Test Rationalization Industry Day Open Invitation

Engineering Flight Test Rationalization (EFTR)

Purpose and Nature of the Industry Engagement Process:

The Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) delivers critical engineering test and evaluation services to DND Weapon System Managers and Project Managers.  As a part of the Defence Renewal initiative, DND is exploring means for ensuring that this vital function is delivered effectively, efficiently and sustainably in the long term - 15+ years. 

The Department of National Defence (DND) is soliciting industry feedback to assist with the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive rationalization of the delivery of Engineering Flight Test and Evaluation capabilities.

The Engineering Flight Test Rationalization project forms an element of the Sustainment Initiative project within Defence Renewal. The Sustainment Initiative aims to implement industry best practices that leverage and align the capabilities of both the DND and Industry to maximize value for money.

The objective of the industry engagement process is to solicit relevant feedback from Industry on best practices and potential outsourcing, aimed at providing some or all of the non-core engineering flight test and evaluation capabilities that are now carried out by the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) in Cold Lake Alberta.

This industry interaction event will be held in the National Capital Area. 

The industry interaction event will include an open industry session in the morning and the potential for a limited number of one-on-one sessions in the afternoon if there is sufficient interest in separate sessions.  During the open session in the morning, participants will be presented with an overview of the current capability and  the proposed Engineering Flight Test Rationalization process, before providing their feedback. 

The scope of the Engineering Flight Test Rationalization initiative includes:
(1) Rationalization:  A thorough review of DND flight test and evaluation as well as flight test and evaluation support requirements with a goal to divest non-essential capabilities and/or to propose alternate means of delivering core and non-core activities;
(2) Location: Identify opportunities for synergy by collocation with like-minded agencies and organizations with a goal to increase overall efficiency; and 
(3) Outsourcing:  Analyze the outsourcing options of some or all existing test and evaluation capabilities, as well as flight test and evaluation support capabilities, with a goal to optimize resource allocation and provide the best value for money.

The industry interaction event will be an initial step in identifying areas of industry interest under the outsourcing area of opportunity, and will also provide an opportunity to seek input from industry on flight test best practices.

The DND is seeking Industry feedback from companies who preferably:
•	Are involved in flight test and evaluation or related activities;
•	Provide aircraft and maintenance services for proficiency training on multi-engine, rotary wing and fast jet aircraft types;
•	Have experience in design, certification, manufacture, installation and maintenance of flight test items, prototypes, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems (including airborne photography and high speed onboard cameras);
•	Perform relevant data processing (reduction of raw experimental data to produce useful data for engineers and project officers);
•	Have experience with the operations and management of flight test and evaluation infrastructure including instrumented flight test and weapons ranges, and flight test control and monitoring assets; and
•	Do business in the Defence Sector.

The conduct of this industry engagement process:
•	is not to be considered in any way a commitment to any specific solution or course of action by the Government of Canada, as the initiative is in an exploratory phase identifying all options possible; 
•	is neither a call for tender nor an RFP; and
•	will not necessarily result in the entering into of any agreements or contracts. 

Although the information collected may be provided as commercial-in-confidence (and, if identified as such, will be treated accordingly by Canada), Canada may use the information to assist in identifying DND options for more detailed analysis. 

Respondents are encouraged to identify, in the information they share with Canada, any information they feel is proprietary, third party or personal. Please note that Canada may be obligated by law (e.g. in response to a request under the Access of Information and Privacy Act) to disclose proprietary or commercially-sensitive information concerning a respondent.

Respondents are asked to identify if their response, or any part of their response, is subject to the Controlled Goods Regulations.

Participation in this industry engagement event is encouraged, but is not mandatory and is not a condition or prerequisite for the participation in any potential subsequent solicitation.

Respondents will not be reimbursed for any cost incurred by participating in this event. 

Anticipated Schedule:
The following schedule should be considered as a baseline:
•	Industry Day (26 February 2015)
•	Engineering Flight Test Rationalization Options Analysis Phase Completion (Tentative August 2015)

Attendance at the Industry Engagement Sessions is open to all interested participants and subject to prior notice of intent to participate. Due to the nature of the Industry Engagement and the information sought by the Government of Canada, One-on-One Sessions may be scheduled should interest warrant them. Interested participants who wish to take part in this Industry Engagement event are requested to provide the following information to the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada point of contact designated at the conclusion of this document.

Name of Participant Company: ______________________________
Name of Primary Point of Contact: ______________________________
Title of Primary Point of Contact: _______________________________
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________
Email and Phone Number of Point of Contact: __________________
______________________________________________________________
Names of Individuals who will be attending:
a.	__________________________ 	Industry Day 	___ 	One on One ___
b.	__________________________ 	Industry Day 	___ 	One on One ___
c.	___________________________ 	Industry Day 	___ 	One on One ___
d.	___________________________ 	Industry Day	___ 	One on One ___
Do you wish to have a one-on-one meeting:  Yes _______     No  _______

Aerospace Industries Association of Canada Point of Contact:

Jennifer Proulx
Director of Events and Government Services
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
255 Albert St., Suite 703, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6A9
Tel: 613 760-4553 Fax: 613 232-1142
jennifer.proulx@aiac.ca   |   http://www.aiac.ca